Fewer than 2 percent of adults reported current use of e-cigarettes; however, 11.2 percent of Montana adults reported they used e-cigarettes at least once, according to a recent study from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Among respondents who were current cigarette smokers, over half reported ever using e-cigarettes. This is markedly higher than the prevalence of e-cigarette use reported by former cigarette smokers, users of other smoking and smokeless tobacco, and non-smokers. Nearly 10 percent of cigarette smokers also reported current use of e-cigarettes. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of e-cigarette use by sex or by race.

Researchers found that the most frequently reported reasons for initiating e-cigarette use were “to try something new (curiosity)” and “to quit/reduce cigarette use.” Just over half of respondents indicated initiating use because “e-cigarettes are less harmful than cigarettes”. Fewer respondents tried e-cigarettes because of smoke restrictions, taste preference, or cost savings. Most younger adult e-cigarette users reported they wanted to try something new. In contrast, older adult e-cigarette users were more likely to report they wanted to quit or reduce cigarette use.